Improvement in car-couplings



PATENT GEEIGE.

AMZI ALLEN, 0E MARIETTA, oEIo.

IMP-ROVEMENT IN CAR-COUPLINGS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 186.514, dated January 23,1877 application filed November 28, 1876. i

To all whom it mag/ concern:

Be it known that I, AMZI ALLEN, of' the city of Marietta, State of' Ohio, have invented certain Improvements-in Gar-Couplings, of which the following is a specication :k

The object of my invention is the conversion of the common draw-head into a selfcoupler, and to make coupling and uncoupling of cars simple, rapid, and safe.

rlhis is effected by means of a catch-bai', C, spring S, eccentric E, or its equivalent, the sliding bars 0, and the eyebolt B, operated by a lever or other suitable device outside of the car.

The catch-bar C, placed inside of the co1n mon draw-head, and attached at the rear end ot' the same by the bolt c c, and held down by the spring S, as shown in Fig. 2 ot' the draw ing, catches and holds rmly ina horizontal position the ordinary conplinglink L when introduced into the draw-head. The link, held as described, is introduced into the opposite draw-head, and the coupling effected by the simple movement of the cars together.

The oce of the spring S is sufficiently explained in the foregoing description of the catch-bar, its operation being simply to hold down the catchbar.

The chiel' use of the eccentric E is in uncoupling cars. It is placed in an opening in the bottom of the draw-head, underneath the catch-barG, and on a shaft which extends to the side of the car, as shown in Fig. 3. On

the outer end of this shaft is an arm or its equivalent,which should hang down when the couplingI is effected, as shown in Fig. 2. To uncouple, svi ing this arm upward to rear, When the eccentric, acting upon the catch-bar, and underneath it, will raise the bar and let go. the link, at the same time throwing forward the sliding bars O over the end of the link. By

bringing the arm a little farther upward to a perpendicular position, as shown in Fig. 3, the catch-bar will remain up, permitting the movement of cars by the engine, as in switching, dac., Without coupling them.

By attaching a cord or chain to the end of the arm b, as shown in Fig. 3, the eccentric may be operated from the top of a box or dat car, and nncoupling effected as readily as the same could be done from the ground at the side of the car.

Attached to the eccentric E, by means of a pinion or wrist, p, one on either side thereof, and extending forward, as shown in Fig. 2, are the sliding bars O, placed one on either side ot' the catch-bar C. These are thrown forward, in uncoupling, over the end ofthe link by the action ofthe eccentric E. The oftce ot' these sliding hars is to prevent the raising of the link by the pressure of the catchbar, when it is desired to nnconple cars while in motion.

For coaches, the eyebolt B, fastened into the top of the catch-bar C by a screw, as shown in Fig. 2, will bc used in uncoupling by means of a lever, x, operated by the foot, upon the fulcrnni f, which may be placed upon the upper right or left side ot' the draw-head, 4

and by means of which the catch-bar may be easily raised and the uncoupling effected from the platform of the car.

What I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

The combination of the catchbar G, eccentric E, sliding bars O, and link L, all substantially as described.

AMZI ALLEN. Witnesses JULIA B. WARNER, ANNIE WEVEE. 

